Hien’s House: A Modern Family Retreat in Ha Long, Vietnam

Hien’s House, designed by d15studio, is an innovative family residence located in the heart of Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. This coastal city, known for its scenic beauty, modern urban development, and favorable climate, provides an ideal setting for a contemporary home that doubles as a private retreat. The project emphasizes a balance between modern living, natural integration, and social spaces, creating a home that inspires relaxation, joy, and connection.

Concept: A Home as a Living Experience

The design philosophy behind Hien’s House centers on the idea that a home is more than a shelter, it is a space that enhances everyday life. With the pressures of urban living and fast-changing social environments, creating areas for relaxation, family connection, and personal enjoyment became paramount. The house acts as a private resort, offering visual and spatial connections to nature while fostering family interactions. Each design element is intended to promote positive emotions, vitality, and well-being, bridging the gap between architecture, humans, and the environment.

Site and Context

Occupying a 67.5 m² plot (7.5 x 9 m), the house benefits from a strategic location in the city:

• South-facing façade: Overlooks a wide, unobstructed road, maximizing sunlight and ventilation.
• East side: Open side facing the technical infrastructure corridor, ideal for indirect daylighting.
• West and North sides: Flanked by neighboring buildings, shaping the spatial strategy.

These conditions informed the design, particularly the orientation of living spaces and the placement of balconies to optimize natural light, ventilation, and scenic views.

Family-Centric Design

Hien’s House serves a family of four, a couple with a son and daughter. Beyond functional living spaces, the owners wanted open areas for social gatherings, flexibility for future lifestyle changes, and improved natural lighting, especially at the rear of the house where light was previously limited.

Façade Design and Environmental Integration

The design emphasizes the Southeast corner of the house, which offers optimal views and climatic advantages. Key strategies include:

• Buffer zones for airflow: Carefully sculpted forms channel natural ventilation throughout the interior.
• Staggered balconies with greenery: Acting as a “biological layer,” plants help mitigate environmental impact while enlivening indoor-outdoor spaces.
• Dual façade concept: The street-front design creates privacy while maintaining openness to natural light and external views.

These features ensure seamless visual and functional connections between the interior and exterior while enhancing environmental comfort.

Interior Layout and Spatial Flow

The interior spaces are arranged for both practicality and future adaptability:

• Ground floor: Open plan with two main halls leading into the living area, allowing flexibility for potential business use.
• Mezzanine floor: Spacious, partition-free area connected to the ground floor by a void that promotes ventilation.
• Upper floors (2nd to 6th): Oriented towards the façade to capture natural light and panoramic views, with glass partitions maintaining visual continuity and integrating nature into daily life.

The design ensures that every floor benefits from daylight and scenic connections, creating a sense of openness and harmony with the surroundings.

Materials and Sustainability

Hien’s House employs a palette of simple, modern, and eco-friendly materials:

• Terrazzo surfaces
• Stucco walls
• Natural wood finishes
• Bamboo flooring
• Local raw materials

These choices support sustainability while creating a tactile, warm environment that strengthens the bond between human life and the natural world.

Architecture, Nature, and Human Connection

Hien’s House exemplifies a symbiotic relationship between architecture, humans, and nature. The project reimagines the urban home as a living, dynamic space that nurtures emotional well-being, encourages family connection, and fosters appreciation of the environment. In a rapidly developing city, it demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform everyday living into an experience of comfort, joy, and connection.

All photographs are works of  Trieu Chien